Geminal interactions in ClZ(CH3)2X molecules (Z = C, Si, Ge) according to ab initio calculations

The structure and electronic parameters of ClZ(CH₃)₂X molecules (Z = C, Si, Ge, X = CH₃, OCH₃) were calculated by the RHF/6–31G(d) and RHF/6–311G(d,p) methods with full geometry optimization; calculations of ClZ(CH₃)₂OCH₃ molecules were also performed by the RHF/6–31G(d) method with partial geometry optimization. The ³⁵Cl NQR frequencies calculated from the populations of less diffuse 3p constituents of valence p orbitals of chlorine RHF/6–31G(d)] were in agreement with the experimental values. The ³⁵Cl NQR frequencies for molecules with X = OCH₃ are lower than those for molecules with X = CH₃ (the Z atom being the same), due mainly to direct through-field polarization of the Z-Cl bond, induced by the effect of unshared electron pair of the oxygen atom in the trans position with respect to that bond. The difference in the ³⁵Cl NQR frequencies decreases in going from Z = C to Z = Si, Ge, in parallel with variation of the Z-Cl bond polarization as the size of Z increases.